Saxons, Bison Setting High Goals

March 24, 2000|By Phil English. Special to the Tribune.

MSL West

As one Mid-Suburban League West boys volleyball coach has said, "It's Schaumburg, and then the rest of us." The West, at least on paper, appears to be there to take for the Saxons, but balance will make the season an interesting one as five teams will battle for a top-three finish.

Schaumburg

Key returnees: Mario Martin, 5-9, Sr.; Andy Dumich, 6-7, Sr.; John Thorsen, 6-7, Sr.; Jeff Smith, 6-2, Sr. Outlook: The Saxons took their lumps at times last year, thanks to a tough non-conference schedule that turned into a 14-18 record. The result, however, was a 7-3 MSL West record, good for second place. And with seven strong returnees, Schaumburg looks to be the early favorite. "I'm expecting to be at the top of the conference," said coach Connie Rahn. "It's our goal."

Hoffman Estates

Key returnees: Dustin Rusakiewicz, 6-4, Sr.; Marcus Bush, 6-1, Sr.; Eric Beaderstadt, 6-5, Jr. Outlook: Hoffman may have lost four starters to graduation but return three key components to a team that finished 21-10 and finished second in the MSL West at 7-3. "We don't have as much experience as we've had in the past," said coach Dawn Shepherd. "But we will be a strong blocking and hitting team."

Barrington

Key returnees: Brian Zielinski, 6-2, Sr.; Cameron Wilson, 6-0, Sr. Outlook: The Broncos lost nine matches last season after losing leads in third-set games. With depth, including six returning players like 6-5 junior Chad Worozaken, Barrington should improve dramatically over last season's 19-18 mark, 4-6 in the MSL West. "We should be fighting for second or third in the league. Maybe even first," said Barrington coach Mike Hulett.

Conant

Key returnees: David Barlow, 6-4, Sr.; Jack Benson, 6-5, Sr.; Dan Hert, 5-11, Sr.; Shawn McGurn, 6-1, Sr. Outlook: Experience and size have the Cougars a lock to improve on last season's 9-22 record, including 3-7 in the West. "We're hoping that our height will help us defensively," said Conant coach Peggy Scholten, whose biggest player will be 6-7 junior Blair Flicker. The development of sophomores Ryan Collings (6-5) and setter Matt Beaumont (5-8) will be the key to Conant's success.

Fremd

Key returnees: Matt Gereg, 6-3, Sr. Outlook: Fremd has just one returning player and has moved several sophomores up to varsity, including 6-2 Kyle Hajduk and 6-4 Scott Winkelman. The result has given the Vikings and first-year coach Kurt Pinley an attacking style he hopes will build on last year's 20-13 record. "We can make a strong run at the other teams in the conference," said Pinley, who previously coached at Palatine for 11 seasons.

Palatine

Key returnees: Matt Warren, 5-11, Sr.; Shawn Church, 5-11, Sr.; Bryan Duffey, 6-1, Sr.; Chris Doebler, 5-10, Sr. Outlook: First-year coach Joyce Richardson, who spent the last three years as Palatine's freshman boys coach, knows what kind of battle she and her team will be in for in the MSL West. But with several returning starters, the Pirates may be looking to contend. "We've got a good chemistry going between setters and hitters that could take this team to a higher level this year," Richardson said.

MSL East

With size, numbers and experience in its corner, Buffalo Grove has its sights set on a Mid-Suburban League East crown and beyond. Prospect, which came on strong at the end of last season, represents the biggest obstacle to the Bison while Hersey should make a solid run at defending its crown.

Buffalo Grove

Key returnees: Jon Rymsza, 6-2, Sr.; Dan Ahern, 6-3, Sr.; Mike Ludy, 6-3, Jr. Outlook: Buffalo Grove looks to be the favorite in the East, returning five starters from last season's 24-13 campaign (7-3 in the MSL East). Rymsza, one of two all-conference returnees, led the state with 74 aces last season and contributed 260 kills along the way. Ahern had 240 kills, but most dangerous for the Bison is the return of two veteran setters in junior Tom Mendoza and senior Shawn Davidson. "Our goal since the beginning has been to contend for an MSL championship," said fourth-year coach Kyle Reid. "We have lofty expectations. Hopefully we can follow through on them."

Prospect

Key returnees: Neal Sieroslawski, 6-2, Sr.; David Munz, 6-2, Sr.; Krystian Krzyzak, 6-0, Jr. Outlook: The Knights finished last season on a 13-game win streak and return a number of players responsible for the run. "We set our goals too high early in the season last year," said coach Mike Riedy. "Once we got back to playing basic volleyball, we were OK." The Knights finished 22-11 and 7-3 in the league last year and, with the return of two key outside hitters and a setter, should be in the hunt for the league crown.